de Fougerolles: 'The more I play, the better I'll get'
Fresh from keeping a clean sheet on his Gold Cup debut as Canada hit Honduras for six in Los Angeles overnight, Fulham defender Luc Fougerolles has vowed 'the more I play, the better I'll get'.
The teenage centre back has been earning rave reviews in his recent international appearances for Jesse Marsch's side and produced another accomplished display as the Canadians easily swatted the Honduran challenge aside yesterday. The nineteen year-old told One Soccer during his first post-match interview of the tournament:
"I think we started the game really well. Obviously, Joel had that chance within a few minutes and we kept the pressure up. We could have had four or five [goals] in the first half. I thought everyone had a great game today and it was a really positive day."
The Battersea-born Fulham academy graduate revealed the quality of Canada's training sessions has allowed him to step seamlessly straight back into the senior international side.
"I think it all starts from training to be fair. A lot of the stuff we do in training helps you to prepare, so when you come into a game it ends up being easier than training. You should see some of the intensity in training and some of the tackles in training. It is tough, so if you can get to the level of training then it makes it having had that experience. I've been in a few camps without playing, so I feel like I'm ready to step up and play some meaningful minutes.
It has been amazing, to be honest. I've not played that many professional games in general. At Fulham, I've only had one with the first team, so to get a run of games ... I feel like it is going to do wonders for my game because these games are so different compared to the academy games. I think the more I play, the better I'll get and I can't wait for the next one."
The ball-playing defender gave an insight into how his relaxed demeanour on the field has helped palm aside the pressures of international football so far.
"I always try to enjoy it. I love playing so whenever I go out to play I kind of try to stay calm and I think it is the best way to be – because, if you stay calm, you end up playing better. I obviously get nervous and excited but once I'm on the pitch, it kind of evaporates."
https://hammyend.com/index.php/2025/06/de-fougerolles-the-more-i-play-the-better-ill-get/
Club president outlines exit 'promise' involving reported Sunderland and Fulham transfer target
Sunderland continue to be linked with a move for Habib Diarra
Strasbourg president Marc Keller has admitted that reported Sunderland transfer target Habib Diarra could leave the club this summer due to a "promise" he made to the midfielder back in 2023.
The Senegalese international has found himself at the centre of widespread speculation in recent days, with a host of Premier League clubs understood to be monitoring his situation in France. Alongside Sunderland, Premier League rivals Leeds United, Bournemouth, and Fulham are also said to be keen on the 21-year-old.
Indeed, of the trio, it has been widely reported that Leeds have already submitted a bid of around £18.7 million for Diarra, with Sky Sports stating that as of Tuesday, talks were still ongoing over a prospective agreement.
However, in a separate update, transfer insider Ben Jacobs stated that the Whites are still some way off sealing an agreement for the player, with a transfer increasingly in doubt. Writing on X, he said: "Understand Habib Diarra's potential move to Leeds is looking unlikely at this stage. Leeds put in a bid to Strasbourg last week, but there are issues in negotiations with player side that need resolving if anything is to progress."
What has been said about Habib Diarra's transfer future?
But while the prospect of a move to Elland Road may have grown fainter, Strasbourg chief Keller has revealed that an exit for Diarra could still very much be on the cards this summer.
Speaking on RMC's After Foot show on Monday, the president suggested that a suitable offer will likely lead to the player's departure over the coming weeks. He said: "There's one player who's due to leave based on a promise I made to him two years ago: our captain, Habib Diarra. When he extended his contract, we told him he was extending it, but that he wouldn't leave until June 2025. So if we get an interesting offer for him and for us, he could leave."
https://www.sunderlandecho.com/sport/football/sunderland-afc/strasbourg-habib-diarra-sunderland-fulham-transfer-5183507
Leeds United 'submit £32m bid' for 'proper quality' Fulham ace also eyed by Newcastle United
Leeds United have made a £32m bid for a Fulham ace who has been praised by Marco Silva in recent months
Leeds United have looked to get ahead of Newcastle United in the race for Fulham striker Rodrigo Muniz by submitting a £32m bid for the Brazilian, according to reports.
The Craven Cottage outfit have been sent an offer worth £26m up front with a further £6m in potential add-ons. However, The Evening Standard have reported the bid has been rejected by the West London club - who view the Brazilian as one of their most valuable assets.
West Ham United were said to be interested in the player in January while earlier this month it was reported by NUFC Blog that Newcastle United were weighing up a move for the player after seeing one of their other targets, Liam Delap, join Chelsea in a £30m deal. The Magpies reportedly went as far to meet with the player's representatives.
Rodrigo Muniz contract situation at Fulham
Muniz is under contract at Craven Cottage for another 12 months but Fulham to hold an option to extend his deal by another year, meaning he effectively has two years to run on his contract. Fulham are under no pressure to sell this summer but if a new deal cannot be agreed, it could be a different picture in 12 months' time.
The club are not planning to sell the 24-year-old but have not completely closed the door on his possible exit as they are willing to do business at the right price. The report from The Evening Standard adds that Leeds are unlikely to return with an improved offer but Newcastle have not been ruled out of the race.
Muniz netted 11 goals in all competitions last season. He has scored 26 times in 97 appearances for Fulham and has been with the club since 2021.
Rodrigo Muniz hailed as "proper quality" striker by Marco Silva
Fulham were one of only two sides to beat Liverpool last season before the Reds were confirmed as Premier League champions. They came from behind to record a 3-2 win at Craven Cottage with Muniz scoring what proved to be the decisive third goal as he impressively got the better of Virgil van Dijk to net Fulham's third back in early April.
"He's a proper quality striker," Fulham boss Marco Silva told Match of the Day of Muniz following that impressive victory. "He's still very young but going so quick and doing so well. We have in our hands a very good striker. He knows that and he knows my opinion. He has many things to improve but he's so strong, a very high quality for a No.9 striker.
"The capacity to play with his back to the central defenders, then inside the box being a technical player and sharp enough to take these types of moments which he showed again."
He's also earned praise from Premier League record goal-scorer Alan Shearer, who said of him after a 3-1 win over Bournemouth: "He really was a handful. Tough to play against, horrible to play against in fact.
"That's always a good thing for a centre-forward, that's what you have to be. He was strong, he ran the channels, he brought players into the game, and he really upset the Bournemouth defenders in every way, in everything he was doing."
https://www.londonworld.com/sport/football/fulham/fulham-transfer-news-muniz-bid-ps32m-newcastle-5184046
Is Ricardo Pepi Replacing Rodrigo Muniz?
In recent weeks, rumours circulated around both Rodrigo Muniz heading to Yorkshire, and Ricardo Pepi being the latest FulhAmerica introductory to SW6, are Rodrigo and Rodrigo going to cross paths between the departures and arrival doors of Motspur Park? Should Rodrigo Muniz leave Craven Cottage? Irregardless, is Ricardo Pepi the right centre forward to bring in this summer? You'll find all the answers below. Keep your eyes moving.
Do Fulham Really Want Another Striker?
Fulham have been linked with numerous strikers in the early stages of this transfer window(s). Rumours surrounding centre forwards have been the most prominent out of any of the positions – of striker, winger, number eight, and goalkeeper – that the Whites, per Peter Rutzler, are targeting in the next 75 days.
The regurgitating links from the well-connected Mike McGrath and Fabrizio Romano, surrounding Ricardo Pepi, won't go away. Add this to leading Turkish journalist Yağız Sabuncuoğlu tying Marco Silva into interest in Göztepe forward Rômulo Cardoso, and it leaves no doubt about the desired profile for at least one major acquisition this summer.
A gamble on a physically gifted younger number nine seems nothing but a guarantee this summer. 6'1" Pepi fits that mould perfectly. 6'4" Cardoso does too. This doesn't consign Rodrigo Muniz to the West London exit door. Bringing in another striker that fits the criteria of your typical Silva nine – especially those of a youthful disposition – is simply smart business.
Should Rodrigo Muniz Swap West London For West Yorkshire?
Rodrigo Muniz, on form, can go toe-to-toe with any striker on the planet. Muniz has it all. He can play with his back to goal, is a force in the air in both hold-up and goalscoring scenarios, whilst both Chelsea and Liverpool goals demonstrated developing mental and technical skills that would characterise a truly complete striker.
However, the facts remain: Rodrigo still hasn't put a full goalscoring season together as a pro. Despite being just 24, and being what I see as the cusp of a goalscoring explosion into stardom in 25/26, Fulham would be reckless to not listen to offers for Muniz. If Leeds do match FFC's £50M price tag, I couldn't blame the club for contemplating where they stand. In saying that, for for anything less, Rodrigo Muniz should be the centre point of this Silva side.
What Has Caused Constant Strikering Rumours? Are FFC Moving In The Right Direction?
Pair Muniz's liking for a purple patch alongside Raul Jiménez entering the final year of his Fulham contract – and likely Fulham career – at 34, links around centre forwards are fuelled from being cognisant of the need to plan for life without Raul, a very underrated Lily whites striker, allowing our relative striker stability, in a dry striker market, to permit the stability needed to slowly blood a younger star into a more prominent role as the season progresses. That's what intelligent clubs do. These links suggest a step in the right direction in recruitment strategy for FFC.
Ricardo Pepi: Brian McBride's Second Coming?
Physically capable at 6'1", with a burst of pace enough to get away from many a defender, the Texas native certainly has the physical profile to mix it in the Premier League. Combine this with Pepi's 11 goals in five starts throughout the 24/25 campaign, Pepi's outrageous bench-led goal record showed he's adept at showing his quality from the bench – a role the American would have to get accustomed to in West London.
Forget the 22-year-old's impressive goal record; they don't even touch the sides of the PSV star's underlying numbers. Ricardo ranks in the 99th percentile, per 90, of non-penalty goals, total shots, and non-penalty xG, whilst further cementing a place in the 95th-plus percentile of touches in the opposing penalty area and successful take-ons. An astounding set of stats.
It's clear to see why PSV don't seem keen to sell a player of Pepi's calibre – especially when you account for the ex-FC Dallas prodigy age, being just 22 years young. I would love to see Ricardo added to an R-led striking trio next campaign: Rodrigo, Raul, and Ricardo. Make Pepi the next member of FulhAmerica.
https://medium.com/@LondonsOriginal/is-ricardo-pepi-replacing-rodrigo-muniz-e9ca78ccd756
Jimenez helps Mexico into Gold Cup second round
Fulham forward Raul Jimenez played just over an hour as Mexico beat Suriname 2-0 overnight to secure their spot in the second round of the Gold Cup.
The defending champions, who beat the Dominican Republic in their opening game on Sunday when Jimenez scored his 40th international goal, were frustrated for almost an hour by Suriname before a brace in the space of five second half minutes from Cesar Montes put El Tri on course for victory.
Mexico and Costa Rica have qualified from Group A with maximum points from their first two matches. The pair will meet on Sunday to decide who progresses to the knockout phase as group winners.
https://hammyend.com/index.php/2025/06/jimenez-helps-mexico-into-gold-cup-second-round/
Internationals: Mexico progress to knockouts
Two goals in seven minutes from centre-back César Montes earned Mexico a 2-0 win over Suriname on Wednesday, and with it progression to the Quarter-Finals of the Gold Cup.
Raúl Jiménez was in from the start and went close in the first half with a volley that went narrowly past the post.
But it wasn't until the second half that the Surinamese blockade was breached, and then it was twice from corners in quick succession. First Montes dispatched a firm header, before lashing in a loose ball while on the floor six minutes later.
With a comfortable lead now established, Raúl was immediately withdrawn for Santiago Giménez in the 64th minute.
Mexico will play Costa Rica – who also have six points – on Sunday to see who qualifies as Group A winners.
https://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2025/june/19/internationals-mexico-progress-to-knockouts/
The silly season and Rutzler on Fulham's recruitment
We founded this website way back when in the summer of 2003 because Nick the Swede and I were frustrated at the lack of Fulham coverage in the newspapers and the broadcast channels. Fulham had surprised everyone by surviving for a season or two in the Premiership as it was called then, but to take the title of that old TOOFIF section 'Near enough is good enough' most mentions the Whites got in the press were either wrong or focused on why our best players belonged at bigger clubs.
We used to have a regular column introducing the 'Silly Season' and one of my favourite features from yesteryear tackled the problems with believing Sky sources in the days before Sky Sports News sacked all their journalists in favour of influencers and content creators.
Now, there are plenty of places to get your Fulham fix but the problem keeps getting worse. Fans have set up their plenty of their own platforms whilst populating the forums that still keep the erudite discussion going on non-matchdays. Simon Peach, who started his career as PA's Fulham correspondent, now writes about Manchester United and England. We have a myriad of podcasts, but The Athletic, which promised an in-depth look at every top flight team no longer pretends to care about Craven Cottage. It's now just another subscription you forget you once were silly enough to pay for.
Somewhere along the way Fulham fanatics lost Peter Rutzler to the Times, where he can regularly be found filing column inches about the sanctioned side Rodrigo Muniz beat on Boxing Day. Rutzler, as reassuring reliable as they come, rarely gets to write about what's on Marco Silva's mind but there are some interesting snippets in his latest column below the minutiae of Mykhailo Mydryk's drug ban – starting with confirmation of that massive Leeds bid for Muniz being turned down.
Fulham have rejected a £32million bid from Leeds United for striker Rodrigo Muniz.
Muniz has entered the final year of his contract at Fulham, albeit the club have an option to extend by a further year, and is a key target for Leeds. The west London club are reluctant to lose the Brazilian forward, who signed in 2021 from Flamengo for a fee in the region of £7million, and they are interested in signing another forward themselves this summer, in addition to a right back, a No8 midfielder and a winger. They hold an interest in the right back Raoul Bellanova, of Atalanta.
Rutzler's reports are unfailingly accurate. This one adds credence to Dean Jones' assertion last week that the Fulham hierarchy are ready to follow up last summer's serious spending on the likes of Emile Smith Rowe and Sander Berge with at least 'four big signings'. Another striker makes sense as the Silva surely can't get away with mixing and matching Muniz and Jimenez for another nine months. The right back option indicates that Kenny Tete won't be staying in SW6. I'm not sure what a number eight actually means, but could it signal that Tom Cairney is currently mulling over where he'll be playing come in August?
There's no doubt that the engine room needs some revitalising – particularly as neither Sander Berge nor Sasa Lukic are holding midfielders and, if, as expected, Harrison Reed moves on this summer then Silva is short on a different profile of engine room energiser who isn't called Josh King. The winger will add the cover that Fulham thought Reiss Nelson would provide before his unfortunate injury, but it is an expansive shopping list in an expensive market. The biggest problem that continually reoccurs under this ownership is how let we leave our summer signings. A succession of Fulham head coaches have held the 'I haven't got enough players' press conference at the start of the season – so let's hope against hope this summer is different.
By the way, the closest think we've got to a Fulham beat reporter – as the Athletic used to call it – is Jack Kelly, who learned his trade via the legendary Hayters' stable. If you aren't subscribing to Jack's Patreon, you're missing out. He'll be on the Algarve again in a couple of weeks – and as a Fulham season ticket holder for years, he's following in the finest of fearless Fullbrook footsteps. I don't think you'll regret parting with a few pennies to get Jack's updates from every press conference, either.
https://hammyend.com/index.php/2025/06/the-silly-season-and-rutzler-on-fulhams-recruitment/
Fulham ponder move to sign Ricardo Pepi
Marco Silva's Fulham are reportedly considering making a move to sign PSV Eindhoven attacking sensation Ricardo Pepi.
Fulham are looking to add more firepower to their squad ahead of next season. Marco Silva is looking for a young striker who can add goals, and according to Fabrizio Romano, the Cottagers are considering making a move for Ricardo Pepi.
The American international has only gone from strength to strength since joining PSV Eindhoven in the summer of 2023 from FC Augsburg. Not only has he established himself as a key figure in their first team, but he is also widely regarded as one of the best young forwards in the Eredivisie.
While a serious knee injury kept him on the sidelines for the majority of the second half of the 2024/25 season, the youngster did put in quite a few impressive performances in the first half. In his 28 outings, the 22-year-old striker found the back of the net on 17 occasions and even bagged three assists.
20 goal contributions in just over 1,000 minutes of first-team action is an incredible return, and his work has certainly not gone unnoticed. While Ricardo Pepi is yet to regain full fitness, there is still a lot of interest in the young striker.
Fulham to make a move for Pepi?
Clubs from across Europe are interested in signing Ricardo Pepi, and Fulham are one of them. The Cottagers are on the lookout for a new striker, with Carlos Vinícius leaving and Raul Jimenez in the final phase of his career. They want to invest in a young striker with an eye on the future and consider Pepi an ideal fit for Silva's system and their project.
The West London club are currently considering making an approach for the 22-year-old American international as he is quite high on their shortlist of targets. Fulham certainly won't find it easy to sign him as PSV Eindhoven will demand a significant fee with his current contract running until 2030.
More importantly, other clubs are expected to enter the race. Italian and Spanish clubs are monitoring him for a while, and they could cause serious problems for Fulham.
https://thehardtackle.com/transfer-news/2025/06/19/fulham-ponder-move-to-sign-ricardo-pepi/
Barnsley FC forward 'eyed' by MK Dons amid uncertainty over ex-Fulham man's future
League Two outfit Milton Keynes Dons are reportedly plotting a move to sign Stephen Humphrys from Barnsley.
The 27-year-old only arrived at Oakwell from Wigan Athletic last year and was a regular fixture in the Reds frontline throughout his debut season.
However, he only penned a one-year contract and his future has been up in the air since the publication of Barnsley's retained list.
With the expiry of his contract fast-approaching, it appears League Two interest has emerged in the former Fulham frontman.
Stephen Humphrys eyed
According to Football League World, MK Dons are eyeing a free transfer swoop for the tricky attacker.
The Dons have already shown plenty of ambition in the summer window, making some eye-catching signings as they prepare for for an assault on the fourth-tier title.
Among those to have joined the Dons is experienced winger Nathaniel Mendez-Laing, who worked with the club's head coach Paul Warne at Derby County.
Humphrys, like Mendez-Laing, would arguably be a huge coup for any club competing in League Two.
Barnsley, on the other hand, would be suffering a blow if they lost an important player to a club in the division below.
Stephen Humphrys resonates with Barnsley
Speaking about his time at Oakwell in November, Humphrys said: "I am kind of a happy-go-lucky person... especially when I can resonate with a place like Barnsley.
"I come from Oldham, which is a working-class town with normal people and that's exactly what it is in Barnsley. It's all easier to go that extra yard when you know that the people you are representing are like yourself and your family.
"I have resonated with that and I will always try my best and try to make the fans proud, number one and my family proud, number two.
"It's just easier when you can relate to a place and the fans gravitate to you like they have here. It's brilliant, I am enjoying it and long may it continue."
https://www.yorkshirepost.co.uk/sport/football/barnsley-fc-mk-dons-stephen-humphrys-5185307
Rui Fonte retires
Former Fulham forward Rui Fonte has retired from professional football, aged 35.
The Portuguese striker, who scored three goals in 29 games for the Whites between 2017 and 2019, has hung up his boots after plying his trade at Paços de Ferreira over the past two years. Fonte, who won two Portuguese titles at Braga and the Taca de Liga with Benfica, had a brief spell in England at Arsenal as a teenager but struggled for form and fitness at Craven Cottage in the aftermath of a £7m switch in 2017.
He scored in his second game at Ipswich Town before getting injured at Portman Road with his only other goals coming in a 6-0 thrashing of Burton Albion. Fonte was an unused substitute as Slavisa Jokanovic's side won the Championship play-off final by beating Aston Villa at Wembley a year later.
We wish Rui the very best as he plans his post-playing career.
https://hammyend.com/index.php/2025/06/rui-fonte-retires/
Vancouver Whitecaps eye de Fougerolles deal
MLS outfit Vancouver Whitecaps have offered Fulham centre back Luc de Fougerolles a long-term contract in audacious attempt to lure the Canadian international away from Craven Cottage this summer, according to the Athletic.
The nineteen year-old, currently starring for Jesse Marsch's side in the Gold Cup, met with Whitecaps representatives last week and is keeping his options open, according to Joshua Kloke. The Battersea-born defender's current Fulham deal expires at the end of the month and the Premier League club have offered their academy graduate new terms that he is expected to sign.
de Fougerolles, enjoying his first taste of a major tournament and regular football again after eight months out with an untimely knee injury, tells the Athletic that he wants to stay with the Whites but believes he is ready for first-team football.
"It's obviously not fully my decision to make. If Fulham want me around, I'll gladly stay and be around the team. But a loan would be amazing. Just to play 40 professional games, I feel like that's part of the game that maybe I'm missing with Under-21s. It's less competitive. So if I were to go to a League One or a Championship team, I think every game would be competitive and that experience would really put me on a good start."
Fulham were exploring a domestic loan last season before de Fougerolles suffered the first serious injury of his burgeoning career and are understand to be keen to explore that market once more, with their intelligent defender fully aware that regular game time will help him hold onto a spot in Marsch's plans ahead of next summer's World Cup.
https://hammyend.com/index.php/2025/06/vancouver-whitecaps-eye-de-fougerolles-deal/